Methods of administering  antihistamines

ABSTRACT

Methods of using combinations of antihistamines by administering an attenuated dosage amount of a first generation antihistamine for a quick onset concomitantly with a maintenance dosage amount of a second or third generation antihistamine are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/527,182 filed Aug. 25, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Antihistamines find wide use in treating allergies by blocking the binding of histamine to histamine H₁-receptors and thereby suppressing symptoms such as a runny nose or watery eyes. So-called first generation antihistamines were developed that provided excellent reduction in the symptoms of rhinitis, however many of these early compounds induced a sedative effect in the patient, as they are nonselective for the H₁-receptor. Depending upon the time of day of administering a conventional recommended dose of a first generation antihistamine, the sedative effect may or may not be desired. For example, sedation would not be desired during the day while most patients need to be active and fully functional, often requiring awareness for daily activities such as working or driving a car.

Second and third generation antihistamines were subsequently designed to avoid the sedative effect exhibited in the earlier generation of compounds. These compounds were developed such that they do not cross the blood brain barrier and thus are selective for peripheral H₁ receptors outside of the central nervous system, thereby exhibiting a reduced sedative effect.

Although the second and third generation antihistamines avoid the sedative effect of the first generation antihistamines, they exhibit a lag from the time of administration to time when the patient starts to experience symptomatic relief. Several second generation antihistamines, such as terfenadine, astemizole, cetirizine, and loratadine, exhibit a lag time of several hours before onset of action (See Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (1997), 79, 163-172).

Thus, there remains a need in the art for methods of administering antihistamines that provides rapid, sustained, and improved therapeutic effect while at the same time avoiding a sedative effect such that the administration can occur regardless of the time of day.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method of orally administering an antihistamine combination comprises concomitantly administering to a patient in need of antihistamine treatment a first generation antihistamine in an attenuated dosage amount to provide a quick onset of action wherein the patient experiences substantially no sedative effect; and a second or third generation antihistamine in a maintenance dosage amount to provide continued antihistaminic effect.

In another embodiment, a method of treating a patient in need of treatment of an allergic reaction comprises orally administering to a patient a first generation antihistamine in an attenuated dose to provide a quick onset of action wherein the patient experiences substantially no sedative effect; and concomitantly administering orally with the first generation antihistamine, a second generation antihistamine in a maintenance dose to provide continued antihistaminic effect.

In yet another embodiment, a method of improving the efficacy of an antihistamine comprises administering to a patient in need of antihistamine treatment a synergistic combination of a first generation antihistamine in an attenuated dosage amount to provide a quick onset of action wherein the patient experiences substantially no sedative effect; and a second or third generation antihistamine in a maintenance dosage amount to provide continued antihistaminic effect.

These and other embodiments, advantages and features of the present invention become clear when detailed description and examples are provided in subsequent sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are methods of using a combination of antihistamines by administering an attenuated dosage amount of a first antihistamine that is a first generation antihistamine to provide a quick onset of therapeutic action followed by a maintenance dosage amount of a second antihistamine that is a second or third generation antihistamine. The combination provides quick onset and improves the efficacy of the antihistamines as the two act synergistically with each other. The method can be carried out without regard to the time of day as the level of first antihistamine will not induce a sedative effect or there will be substantially no sedative effect, but rather will provide early therapeutic effect during the lag time a patient may experience from the time of administration of a second or third generation antihistamine to when the patient experiences symptomatic relief. For example, diphenhydramine, a first generation antihistamine, provides therapeutic effect within 15 to 30 minutes after administration, while it may take up to an hour or more for a patient to experience relief of symptoms using fexofenadine, as second generation antihistamine.

As used herein, “substantially no sedative effect” means the patient experiences such a minor sedative effect that it would not impair the patient's ability to operate machinery or automobiles or perform other mental or physical tasks requiring a high level of concentration.

The attenuated dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine is selected to avoid a sedative effect while at the same time providing adequate prophylactic and symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergies for the first 1-2 hours after dosage administration. In one embodiment, the attenuated dosage amount of the first antihistamine is about 10 to about 96% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine when used alone, specifically about 25 to about 80%, more specifically about 40 to about 65%, and yet more specifically about 50 to about 55% of the conventional recommended dosage amount. For example, a conventional recommended adult dose of diphenhydramine hydrochloride administered on its own is 25 milligrams (mg) to 50 mg. An attenuated dose for the present methods and compositions can be about 10 to about 23 mg when used in combination with a second generation antihistamine. Other examples are provided in the table below.

Conventional recommended dose Dose range for Name (adult) combination 1st Chlorpheneramine 2 mg to 4 mg 0.5 mg to 1.8 mg* genera- Maleate tion Diphenhydramine 25 mg to 50 mg 10 mg to 23 mg* HCl Doxylamine 6.25 mg to 12.5 mg 2 mg to 6 mg* Succinate 2nd Cetirizine HCl 10 mg, 1 mg/ml 10 mg, 1 mg/ml genera- Loratadine 10 mg, 1 mg/ml 10 mg, 1 mg/ml tion Fexofenadine HCl 60 mg, 180 mg, 60 mg, 180 mg, 30 mg/5 ml 30 mg/5 ml *Less than the conventional recommended dose.

The maintenance dosage amount of the second antihistamine, that is the second or third generation antihistamine, can be about 90 to 100% of the conventional recommended dosage amount, specifically 100%. Exemplary recommended dosage amounts are provided in the table above.

In one embodiment, a method of orally administering an antihistamine combination comprises concomitantly administering to a patient in need of antihistamine treatment a first generation antihistamine in an attenuated dosage amount to provide a quick onset of action while avoiding a sedative effect; and a second or third generation antihistamine in a maintenance dosage amount to provide continued antihistaminic effect. As used herein, “concomitantly administering” means the first generation and second/third generation antihistamine are administered simultaneously, or within fifteen minutes of one another, specifically within ten minutes, and more specifically within five minutes of one another.

In another embodiment, a method of using an antihistamine combination to treat a patient in need thereof comprises concomitantly administering to a patient in need of antihistamine treatment a first generation antihistamine in an attenuated dosage amount to provide a quick onset of action while avoiding a sedative effect; and a second generation antihistamine in a maintenance dosage amount to provide continued antihistaminic effect.

In yet another embodiment, a method of treating a patient with an antihistamine combination comprises orally administering an attenuated dosage amount of a first generation antihistamine suitable for treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergy to the patient who is concomitantly receiving administration of a second generation antihistamine, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is reduced compared to the conventional recommended daily dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine for treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergy in the patient. In one embodiment, the attenuated dosage amount of the first antihistamine is about 10 to about 96% of the conventional recommended daily dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine when used alone, specifically about 25 to about 80%, more specifically about 40 to about 65%, and yet more specifically about 50 to about 55% of the conventional recommended daily dosage amount.

In yet another embodiment, a method of using an antihistamine combination to treat a patient suffering from a condition treatable with an antihistamine comprises concomitantly administering to a patient in need of antihistamine treatment a first generation antihistamine in an attenuated dosage amount to provide a quick onset of action while avoiding a sedative effect; and a second generation antihistamine in a maintenance dosage amount to provide continued antihistaminic effect.

Exemplary first generation antihistamines include brompheniramine, buclizine, chlorpheniramine, cinnarizine, clemastine, cyclizine, cyproheptadine, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, meclozine, pheniramine, promethazine, triprolidine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof; specifically chlorpheneramine maleate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, doxylamine succinate, or a combination thereof.

Exemplary second and third generation antihistamines include acrivastine, astemizole, cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine, mizolastine, terfenadine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof; specifically cetirizine hydrochloride, fexofenadine hydrochloride, loratidine, or a combination thereof.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salt” includes derivatives of the active agent, wherein the active agent is modified by making acid or base addition salts thereof, and further refers to pharmaceutically acceptable solvates, including hydrates, crystalline forms, non-crystalline forms, and polymorphs, of such salts. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid addition salts of basic residues such as amines; alkali or organic addition salts of acidic residues; and the like, or a combinations thereof. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include salts and the quaternary ammonium salts of the active agent. For example, acid salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric, nitric and the like; other acceptable inorganic salts include metal salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt, cesium salt, and the like; and alkaline earth metal salts, such as calcium salt, magnesium salt, and the like, or a combination thereof. Pharmaceutically acceptable organic salts includes salts prepared from organic acids such as acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, stearic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, pamoic, maleic, hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic, mesylic, esylic, besylic, sulfanilic, 2-acetoxybenzoic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic, isethionic, HOOC—(CH₂)_(n)—COOH where n is 0-4, and the like; organic amine salts such as triethylamine salt, pyridine salt, picoline salt, ethanolamine salt, triethanolamine salt, dicyclohexylamine salt,

N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine salt, and the like; and amino acid salts such as arginate, asparginate, glutamate, and the like; or a combination thereof.

The first and second antihistamine can be formulated as a single dosage form or formulated as separate, independent dosage forms. A “dosage form” means a unit of administration of an active agent. The first antihistamine is generally formulated for immediate-release, while the second antihistamine can be immediate-release or controlled-release.

The antihistamines can be formulated for oral or buccal administration as a solid, liquid, or semisolid. “Oral dosage form” is meant to include a unit dosage form for oral administration. Exemplary solid oral and buccal dosage forms include tablets, capsules, pellets, films, and the like. Exemplary oral liquid dosage forms include solutions, suspensions, emulsions, and the like.

By “immediate-release” is meant a conventional or non-modified release in which greater then or equal to about 75% of the active agent is released within two hours of administration, specifically within one hour of administration, yet more specifically within 30 minutes of administration.

By “controlled-release” is meant a dosage form in which the release of the active agent is controlled or modified over a period of time, and does not include immediate-release. Controlled can mean, for example, extended/sustained-, delayed- or pulsed-release at a particular time.

Liquid Dosage Forms

The liquid dosage forms generally include the first and second/third generation antihistamines and a liquid carrier. Additional optional ingredients include a suspending agent, a sweetener, a flavoring agent, a preservative, a pH adjusting agent, a colorant, or a combination thereof.

The first and second/third generation antihistamines can be present in the liquid composition in free form or in the form of a coated or uncoated granule, microtablet, pellet (as used herein “pellet” means a spherical granule prepared by extrusion and spheronization, and is equivalent to bead, spheroid, and microsphere), particle, or other multiparticulate system. The coating can include film forming coating, a taste-masking coating, a controlled-release coating, and the like.

The liquid carrier can be water; glycerin; propylene glycol; a lower polyethylene glycol (e.g., polyethylene glycol 200, polyethylene glycol 300, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol 540, polyethylene glycol 600, and the like); ethanol; propylene carbonate; or a combination thereof.

The liquid carrier can be present in the liquid composition in an amount of about 30 to about 98 weight percent (wt %) based on the total weight of the liquid composition, specifically about 40 to about 90 wt %, more specifically about 50 to about 80 wt %, and yet more specifically about 60 to about 70 wt %.

The suspending agent can be a carbomer, a cellulose derivative such as powdered cellulose, methylcellulose, a hydroxyl alkyl cellulose such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxy methyl cellulose calcium, carboxy methyl cellulose sodium, polyvinylpyrrolidone; a natural gum such as gum acacia, carrageenan, sodium alginate, gellam gum, gum ghatti, guar gum, locust bean gum, tragacanth, xanthan gum; or a combination thereof.

A sweetener can be included in the liquid composition to make the composition palatable and more pleasing to the patient and to mask the taste of the antihistamines. Exemplary sweeteners include sugar alcohols (or polyols), such as glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, galactitol, maltitol, hydrogenated isomaltulose (isomalt), lactitol, erythritol, glucitol, ribitol, or a combination thereof; sugar sweeteners generally include saccharides, such as mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and poly-saccharides such as sucrose (saccharose, sugar), dextrose, maltose, dextrin, maltodextrin, xylose, ribose, glucose (including liquid glucose), mannose, galactose, fructose (levulose), lactose, invert sugar, fructo oligo saccharide syrups, trehalose, tagatose, fucose, gulose, raffinose, ribulose, rufinose, stachyose, xylulose, adonose, amylase, arabinose, deoxyribose, corn syrup solids, such as high fructose corn syrup, or a combination thereof; artificial sweeteners such as soluble saccharin salts, i.e., sodium or calcium saccharin salts, the potassium salt of 3,4-dihydro-6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4-one-2,2-dioxide (Acesulfame-K), the free acid form of saccharin, L-aspartic acid derived sweeteners, such as L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (Aspartame), L-alphaaspartyl-N-(2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-thietanyl)-D-alaninamide hydrate (Alitame), N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-L-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester (Neotame), methyl esters of L-aspartyl-L-phenylglycerine and L-aspartyl-L-2,5-dihydrophenyl-glycine, L-aspartyl-2,5-dihydro-L-phenylalanine; L-aspartyl-L-(1-cyclohexen)-alanine, or a combination thereof; maltol; or a combination thereof.

The sweetener can be present in the liquid composition in an amount of about 0.1 to about 75 wt % based on the total weight of the liquid composition, specifically about 5 to about 50 wt %, and more specifically about 2.5 to about 25 wt %. The amount of sweetener can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. The use of sensory panels to determine the acceptable sweetness of the liquid composition may be used.

The liquid composition may optionally further comprise a flavoring agent. Flavoring agents include those flavors known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as natural flavors and artificial flavors. Suitable amounts of flavoring agent can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. In one embodiment, the flavoring agent can be present in the liquid composition from about 0.1 to about 8.0 wt % based on the total weight of the liquid composition, specifically about 0.4 to about 6 wt %, and more specifically about 1.0 to about 3.0 wt %.

The liquid composition can further include a preservative to prevent the unwanted growth of bacteria, molds, fungi, or yeast. Examples of suitable preservatives include benzoic acid alkali metal salts (e.g., sodium benzoate), sorbic acid alkali metal salts (e.g., potassium sorbate), sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite, calcium sorbate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), parabens (e.g., lower alkyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid), alkali metal salts of parabens including sodium and potassium salts of methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, or butylparaben, or a combination thereof. Specific preservatives include sodium methylparaben, sodium propylparaben, and sodium butylparaben.

The preservative can be present in the liquid composition in an amount of about 0.001 to about 0.15 wt % based on the total weight of the composition, specifically about 0.0075 to about 0.05 wt %, and yet more specifically about 0.01 to about 0.04 wt %.

The liquid composition optionally further comprises a colorant conventional in the pharmaceutical art. Colorants can be used in amounts effective to produce a desired color for the composition. The colorants may include pigments, natural food colors and dyes suitable for pharmaceutical applications.

The liquid composition optionally further includes a pH adjusting agent to render the final liquid composition to a targeted pH. Suitable pH adjusting agents include pharmaceutically acceptable acids, bases, and their salts. Exemplary pH adjusting agents include alkali metal hydroxides (e.g., sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide), hydrochloric acid, alkali metal carbonates (e.g., sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate), carbonic acid, or a combination thereof. The pH adjusting agents can be used as solutions or suspensions in a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable solvents for use with the pH adjusting agent can include purified water, lower alkyl alcohols such as ethanol, a glycol, and the like, or a combination thereof.

The amount of pH adjusting agent can be any amount to result in a desired pH of the final liquid composition. Such amounts can be determined by one having ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation.

In another embodiment, the combination of antihistamines is formulated in a powder form, such as a sachet, to be suspended in a liquid carrier such as water or saliva. The powder form can be added to a glass of water with stirring or taken directly in the mouth where the ingredients are suspended in saliva. General components in the powder formulation include the antihistamines, a sweetener, and a suspending agent; optionally further comprising a flavorant, a colorant, a disintegrant, a combination thereof, and the like.

Solid Dosage Forms

The solid oral dosage form can be a monolithic matrix tablet or a layered tablet having two or more layers wherein the first and the second/third antihistamine can be in separate layers or in the same layer; a capsule; a subunit form such as a plurality of granules, microtablets, minitablets, caplets, pellets (as used herein “pellet” means a spherical granule prepared by extrusion and spheronization, and is equivalent to bead, spheroid, and microsphere), particles, active agent cores, or other multiparticulate system.

In one embodiment, the first generation antihistamine, the second/third generation antihistamine, or a combination thereof, is/are formulated as a solid oral dosage form comprising the antihistamine and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” means any other component added to the pharmaceutical formulation other than the active agent. Excipients may be added to facilitate manufacture, enhance stability, enhance product characteristics, enhance bioavailability, enhance patient acceptability, etc. Pharmaceutical excipients include carriers, fillers, binders, disintegrants, lubricants, glidants, granulating agents, compression aids, colors, sweeteners, preservatives, suspending agents, dispersing agents, film formers, flavorants, printing inks, buffer agents, pH adjusters, preservatives, and the like. In some instances, a single material will meet two or more of the foregoing general classifications.

Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable excipients include fillers, such as a water insoluble filler, water soluble filler, or a combination thereof. The filler may be a water insoluble filler, such as carnauba wax, stearic acid, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, talc, alumina, starch, kaolin, polacrilin potassium, powdered cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium citrate, dicalcium phosphate, or a combination thereof. Exemplary water-soluble fillers include water soluble sugars and sugar alcohols, specifically lactose, glucose, fructose, sucrose, mannose, dextrose, galactose, the corresponding sugar alcohols and other sugar alcohols, such as mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, or a combination thereof.

Exemplary binders include alginic acid, a carbomer, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, carrageenan, cellulose acetate phthalate, chitosan, ethyl cellulose, guar gum, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, poloxamer, polyethylene oxide, polymethacrylates, povidone, a saccharide, starch, partially pregelatinized starch, and the like, or a combination thereof.

Exemplary disintegrants include alginic acid, carboxymethylcellulose calcium, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose (sodium croscarmellose), powdered cellulose, chitosan, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, guar gum, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium alginate, sodium starch glycolate, partially pregelatinized starch, pregelatinized starch, starch, sodium carboxymethyl starch, and the like, or a combination thereof.

Exemplary lubricants include calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, glyceryl behenate, glyceryl palmitostearate, hydrogenated castor oil, light mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, sodium stearyl fumarate, stearic acid, zinc stearate, or a combination thereof.

Exemplary glidants include colloidal silica, amorphous silica, precipitated silica, talc, calcium phosphate tribasic, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, magnesium trisilicate, or a combination thereof.

The solid oral dosage forms can be prepared using equipment and techniques known in the art for tableting included direct compression, granulation, capsule filling, pelletizing, and the like.

Orally Dispersible Tablet

The antihistamines can be formulated into a non-chewable, orally disintegrating tablet. These dosage forms can be made by methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art of pharmaceutical formulations. For example, Cima Labs has produced oral dosage forms including microparticles and effervescents, which rapidly disintegrate in the mouth and provide adequate taste-masking. Cima Labs has also produced a rapidly dissolving dosage form containing the active agent and a matrix that includes a nondirect compression filler and a lubricant. U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,878 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,392 provide teachings regarding orally disintegrating tablets.

An exemplary orally disintegrating tablet includes a mixture incorporating a water or saliva activated effervescent disintegration agent and the active agent. The mixture may be formulated as a tablet of a size and shape adapted for direct oral administration to a patient. The orally disintegrating tablet is substantially completely disintegrable upon exposure to water or saliva. The effervescent disintegration agent is present in an amount effective to aid in disintegration of the tablet, and to provide a distinct sensation of effervescence when the tablet is placed in the mouth of a patient.

The effervescent sensation is not only pleasant to the patient but also tends to stimulate saliva production, thereby providing additional water to aid in further effervescent action. Thus, once the tablet is placed in the patient's mouth, it will disintegrate rapidly and substantially completely without any voluntary action by the patient. Even if the patient does not chew the tablet, disintegration will proceed rapidly.

The term effervescent disintegration agent includes compounds which evolve gas. Exemplary effervescent disintegration agents evolve gas by means of chemical reactions which take place upon exposure of the effervescent disintegration agent to water or to saliva in the mouth. The bubble or gas generating reaction is most often the result of the reaction of a soluble acid source and an alkali metal carbonate or carbonate source. The reaction of these two general classes of compounds produces carbon dioxide gas upon contact with water included in saliva.

Such water activated materials may be kept in a generally anhydrous state with little or no absorbed moisture or in a stable hydrated form since exposure to water will prematurely disintegrate the tablet. The acid sources or acid may be those which are safe for human consumption and may generally include food acids, acid anhydrides and acid salts. Food acids include citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, and succinic acids, etc. Because these acids are directly ingested, their overall solubility in water is less important than it would be if the effervescent tablet formulations were intended to be dissolved in a glass of water. Acid anhydrides and acid of the above described acids may also be used. Acid salts may include sodium, dihydrogen phosphate, disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate, acid citrate salts and sodium acid sulfite.

Carbonate sources include dry solid carbonate and bicarbonate salts such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium glycine carbonate, L-lysine carbonate, arginine carbonate, amorphous calcium carbonate, or a combination thereof.

Where the effervescent agent includes two mutually reactive components, such as an acid source and a carbonate source, in one embodiment both components react substantially completely. Therefore, an equivalent ratio of components which provides for equal equivalents is selected. For example, if the acid used is diprotic, then either twice the amount of a mono-reactive carbonate base, or an equal amount of a di-reactive base is used for complete neutralization to be realized. However, the amount of either acid or carbonate source may exceed the amount of the other component. This may be useful to enhance taste or performance of a tablet containing an overage of either component. In this case, it is acceptable that the additional amount of either component may remain unreacted.

In general, the amount of effervescent disintegration agent useful for the formation of orally disintegrating tablets is about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % based on the total weight of the final dosage form, specifically about 15 wt % and about 30 wt %, and more specifically about 20 wt % to about 25 wt %.

Other types of orally disintegrating tablets can be prepared without an effervescent agent by using a spray dried carbohydrate or sugar alcohol excipients=(e.g. sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, or a combination thereof, and the like), optionally combined with a disintegrant (e.g. the disintegrant is selected from crospovidone, croscarmellose, sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinized starch, partially pregelatinized starch, or a combination thereof, and the like), or a glidant (e.g. colloidal silica, silica gel, precipitated silica, or a combination thereof, and the like). Suitable orally disintegrating tablets can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication US20030118642 A1 to Norman et al. incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Orally disintegrating tablets can be manufactured by well-known tableting procedures. In common tableting processes, the material which is to be tableted is deposited into a cavity, and one or more punch members are then advanced into the cavity and brought into intimate contact with the material to be pressed, whereupon compressive force is applied. The material is thus forced into conformity with the shape of the punches and the cavity.

The orally disintegrating tablets typically rapidly disintegrate when orally administered. By “rapid”, it is understood that the tablets disintegrate in the mouth of a patient in less than about 7 minutes, and specifically between about 30 seconds and about 5 minutes, specifically the tablet dissolves in the mouth between about 45 seconds and about 2 minutes. Disintegration time in the mouth can be measured by observing the disintegration time of the tablet in water at about 37° C. The tablet is immersed in the water without forcible agitation. The disintegration time is the time from immersion to substantially complete dispersion of the tablet as determined by visual observation. As used herein, the term “complete disintegration” of the tablet does not require dissolution or disintegration of the subunits or other discrete inclusions. In one embodiment, disintegration can be determined by USP 32 (Test <701>).

Films

In another embodiment, the antihistamines are formulated into an orally dissolving strip, which rapidly dissolves in the mouth to release the active agent contained in the strip. The orally dissolving strips generally comprise a water soluble polymer and the antihistamines. Exemplary classes of water soluble polymers include water soluble cellulosic polymers, water soluble synthetic polymers, water soluble natural gums and polymers or derivatives thereof, or a combination thereof. Exemplary water soluble cellulosic polymers include hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, or a combination thereof. Exemplary water soluble natural gums and polymers include amylose, dextran, casein, pullulan, gelatin, pectin, agar, carrageenan, xanthan gum, tragacanth, guar gum, acacia gum, arabic gum, sodium alginate, zein, or a combination thereof. Exemplary water soluble synthetic polymers include polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxyvinyl polymers, water soluble polyacrylic acid/acrylate, or a combination thereof.

The water soluble polymer may be present in amounts of about 20 to about 95 wt %, specifically about 30 to about 85, and more specifically about 40 to about 75 wt % based on the total weight of the orally dissolving strip.

The orally dissolving strip can further optionally comprise a plasticizer in addition to the water soluble polymer and active agent. Exemplary plasticizers include propylene glycol, glycerin, glycerol, monoacetin, diacetin, triacetin, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dibutyl sebacate, triethyl titrate, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, triethyl acetyl citrate, castor oil, acetylated monoglycerides, sorbitol, or a combination thereof. The plasticizer may be present in amounts of about 0 to about 20, specifically about 1 to about 15, and more specifically about 5 to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the orally dissolving strip.

The orally dissolving strip can further optionally comprise an emulsifying agent in addition to the water soluble polymer and active agent. Exemplary emulsifying agents include polyvinyl alcohol, a sorbitan esters, a cyclodextrin, benzyl benzoate, glyceryl monostearate, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, a polyoxyethylene stearate, poloxamer, a polyoxyethylene castor oil derivative, a hydrogenated vegetable oil, a polysorbate, or a combination thereof.

The emulsifying agent may be present in amounts of about 0 to about 20, specifically about 1 to about 15, and more specifically about 5 to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the orally dissolving strip.

The orally dissolving strip can further optionally comprise a flavorant or sweetener in addition to the water soluble polymer and active agent. Exemplary sweeteners include sugar, a monosaccharide, an oligosaccharide, aldose, ketose, dextrose, maltose, lactose, glucose, fructose, sucrose, a sugar polyol (e.g., mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, erythritol, and the like), artificial sweeteners (e.g., acesulfame potassium, sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, sodium saccharin, and the like) or a combination thereof. The sweetener may be present in amounts of about 0 to about 20, specifically about 1 to about 15, and more specifically about 5 to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the orally dissolving strip.

In some embodiments, the orally dissolving formulations of the present invention may comprise an additional excipient. Suitable additional excipients include, but are not limited to, microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, starch, or a combination thereof. Other optional components that can be used to prepare the orally dissolving strip include a filler/diluent, a surfactant, a disintegrating agent, an antifoaming agent, an antioxidant, a buffering agent, a colorant, or a combination thereof

In one embodiment, the orally dissolving strip exhibits a drug loading of not more than 50% w/w of the film. Exemplary orally dissolving strips will comprise about 0.01 to about 50 mg of active agent per strip. In another embodiment, the orally dissolving strip has a thickness of about 0.1 to about 5.0 millimeters, specifically about 0.3 to about 4.0 and yet more specifically about 0.5 to about 2.5 millimeters. In another embodiment the orally dissolving strip has a surface area of about 1.0 to about 6.0, specifically about 1.2 to about 4.0 and yet more specifically about 1.5 to about 2.0 square centimeters.

The orally dissolving strip once placed in the oral cavity may dissolve after less than about 60 seconds, specifically less than 30 seconds, and yet more specifically less than about 20 seconds.

A solvent can be used in the process to prepare the orally dissolving strip, including water, ethanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, 3-methyl-1-butanol, methylethyl ketone, 2-methyl-1-propanol, isobutyl acetate, isopropyl acetate ethyl ether, tert-butylmethyl ether acetone, or a combination thereof. The solvent is used for processing and then removed to result in the final product.

Methods of preparing orally dissolving strips involve solvent casting and film coating. The active agent is mixed with film-forming excipients and solvents such as water, ethanol, and the like. A thin coating of the mixture is cast on a moving, inert substrate and the coated substrate is moved through a drying oven to evaporate the solvent before die-cutting the dried film into strips. Another method involves hot-melt extrusion, by melting an active agent and excipient polymer blend which is then extruded through a die under molten conditions. The thin film is then cooled to room temperature and die-cut into strips.

Kits

Also included herein are pharmaceutical kits comprising one multiple use, or a plurality of single use containers or units containing the antihistamine dosage forms as described herein. The kits may further comprise one or more conventional pharmaceutical kit components, such as, for example, one or more containers to aid in facilitating compliance with a particular dosage regimen; one or more carriers; printed instructions, either as inserts or as labels, indicating quantities of the components to be administered, or guidelines for administration. Exemplary kits can be in the form of bubble or blister pack cards, optionally arranged in a desired order for a particular dosing regimen. Suitable blister packs that can be arranged in a variety of configurations to accommodate a particular dosing regimen are well known in the art or easily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Those forms existing as liquids (e.g solution, emulsion, or suspension) can be packaged for convenient dosing in prepackaged, single use containers, or in containers comprising multiple doses.

The combination can be administered to a patient in need of prophylactic and symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergies. Seasonal allergic rhinitis may be due to allergens such as ragweed, grass and tree pollens. Perennial allergic rhinitis may be due to allergens such as dust mites, animal dander and molds. Symptoms treated may include sneezing, rhinorrhea, postnasal discharge, nasal pruritus, ocular pruritus, tearing, and redness of the eyes. Patients may include adults, geriatric, or pediatric patients.

The following non-limiting examples further illustrate the various embodiments described herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Immediate Release Tablets/Capsules

Immediate release tablets or capsules are prepared using diphenhydramine HCl as the first antihistamine and fexofenedine HCl as the second antihistamine. The formulation is provided in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Ingredients Milligram/tablet or capsule Fexofenedine HCl 60.00 Diphenhydramine HCl 15.00 PEG 3350 32.50 Croscarmellose Sodium (Ac-Di-Sol) 15.00 Partially pregelatinized maize starch 25.00 (Starch 1500 ®) Magnesium Stearate 2.50 Total 150.00

Fexofenedine HCl, diphenhydramine HCl and PEG 3350 are charged into a blender and mixed. Ac-Di-Sol and Starch 1500 are then added to the blender and mixed. Magnesium stearate is passed through a #30 mesh screen and added to the blender and mixed to form a final blend. The final blend can be compressed into tablets or filled into capsules.

One tablet or capsule of Example 1 can be administered to a patient twice a day.

Example 2 Chewable Tablets

Chewable tablets are prepared using chlorpheneramine maleate as the first antihistamine and loratadine as the second antihistamine. The formulation is provided in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Ingredients Milligram/tablet Loratadine 10.00 Chlorpheneramine Maleate 1.80 Microcrystalline cellulose 38.50 Mannitol 45.00 Silicon dioxide 2.00 Citric acid 1.00 Magnesium Stearate 1.00 Aspartame 0.10 Color 0.10 Flavor 0.50 Total 100.00

Color is passed through a # 30 mesh screen using microcrystalline cellulose. Loratadine, chlorpheneramine maleate, mannitol and the screened ingredients are charged into a blender and mixed. Silicon dioxide, citric acid, aspartame and flavor are passed through a # 30 mesh screen and then added to the blender and mixed. Magnesium stearate that has been screened through a # 30 mesh is then added to the blender and mixed to form a final mixture. The final mixture is then compressed into chewable tablets.

One chewable tablet of Example 2 can be administered to a patient once a day.

Example 3 Oral Solution

An oral solution is prepared where each 5 milliliters (ml) contains 1 mg of chlorpheneramine maleate as the first antihistamine and 5 milligrams of cetirizine HC1 as the second antihistamine. The oral solution formulation is shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Ingredients Gram/batch Cetirizine HCl 0.10 Chlorpheneramine Maleate 0.02 Citric acid anhydrous, USP/NF 0.30 Glycerin, USP 8.00 Propylene glycol 18.38 PEG 400, NF 1.00 Sodium benzoate, NF 0.20 Sugar, NF 20.50 Sodium saccharin 0.30 Soduim citrate, USP/NF 0.40 Color 0.10 Flavor 0.20 Purified water 50.50 Total Weight 100.00

The oral solution is prepared by dissolving citric acid and sodium citrate in water. Sodium saccharin and sodium benzoate are then added and dissolved. Cetirizine HCl and chlorpheneramine maleate are then added and dissolved by mixing for 10 minutes. Sugar is then added and mixed for 30 minutes to dissolve. Propylene glycol and PEG 400 are then added and mixed for 5 minutes. Glycerin is then added and mixed for 10 minutes. Colors and flavors are dissolved in a small amount of water and then added to the main container with mixing. Any remaining water is added to the mixture and mixed for 25 minutes to form the oral solution.

A 5 milliliter dose of the oral solution of Example 3 can be administered to a patient as a single daily dose.

Example 4 Orally Disintegrating Tablet

An orally disintegrating tablet is prepared with chlorpheneramine maleate as the first antihistamine and loratadine as the second antihistamine (Table 4.).

TABLE 4 Ingredients Milligram/tablet Loratadine 10.00 Chlorpheneramine Maleate 1.80 Granulated mannitol (Pearlitol ® SD100) 70.20 Crosslinked Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Plasdone XL 10) 10.00 Peppermint flavor 3.00 Stearic acid 5.00 Total 100.00

Loratadine, chlorpheneramine maleate and Pearlitol SD100 are charged into a blender and mixed. Plasdone XL10 and peppermint flavor are passed through a # 30 mesh screen and added to the blender and mixed. Stearic acid is passed through a # 30 mesh screen, added to the blender and mixed to form a final blend. The final blend is compressed into tablets.

One orally disintegrating tablet of Example 4 can be administered to a patient once a day.

Example 5 Bilayer Tablets

A bilayer tablet is formed having the first antihistamine chlorpheneramine maleate in one layer and second antihistamine cetirizine HCl in a second layer (Table 5).

TABLE 5 Milligram/tablet First Layer Ingredients Chlorpheneramine Maleate 1.80 Microcrystalline cellulose 39.20 Lactose Fast Flo ® 45.00 Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Plasdone K29/32) 10.00 Crosslinked Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Plasdone XL 10) 3.00 Magnesium Stearate 1.00 Total 100.00 Second Layer Ingredients Cetirizine HCl 10.00 Microcrystalline cellulose 37.00 Lactose Fast Flo ® 45.00 Silicon dioxide 2.00 Croscarmellose Sodium (Ac-Di-Sol) 5.00 Magnesium Stearate 1.00 Total 100.00

The first layer is formed by charging chlorpheneramine maleate, microcrystalline cellulose, and Lactose Fastflo into a blender and mixed. Plasdone K29/32 and Plasdone XL10 are passed through a # 30 mesh screen, added to the blender and mixed. Magnesium stearate is passed through a # 30 mesh screen and added to the blender and mixed to form a final first layer blend.

The second layer is formed by charging cetirizine HC1, microcrystalline cellulose, and Lactose Fastflo into a second blender and mixed. Silicon dioxide, and Ac-Di-Sol are passed through a # 30 mesh screen, added to the blender and mixed. Magnesium stearate is then passed through a # 30 mesh screen, added to the blender and mixed to form a final second layer blend. Bilayer tablets are formed by compressing 100 mg of the final first layer blend and 100 mg of the final second layer blend.

One bilayer tablet of Example 5 can be administered to a patient once a day.

The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”, and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to”). The terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. The term “or” means “and/or”. The endpoints of all ranges directed to the same component or property are inclusive and independently combinable. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity). The term “or a combination thereof” means a combination of one, two, or more of the listed items.

Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method of orally administering an antihistamine combination, comprising: concomitantly administering to a patient in need of antihistamine treatment a first generation antihistamine in an attenuated dosage amount to provide a quick onset of action wherein the patient experiences substantially no sedative effect; and a second or third generation antihistamine in a maintenance dosage amount to provide continued antihistaminic effect.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 10 to about 96% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 25 to about 80% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 40 to about 65% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 50 to about 55% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first generation antihistamine provides therapeutic prophylactic and symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergies for the first 1-2 hours after administration.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first generation antihistamine is brompheniramine, buclizine, chlorpheniramine, cinnarizine, clemastine, cyclizine, cyproheptadine, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, meclozine, pheniramine, promethazine, triprolidine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first generation antihistamine is chlorpheneramine maleate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, doxylamine succinate, or a combination thereof.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second or third generation antihistamine is acrivastine, astemizole, cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine, mizolastine, terfenadine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second or third generation antihistamine is cetirizine hydrochloride, fexofenadine hydrochloride, loratadine, or a combination thereof.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first generation antihistamine and the second or third generation antihistamine are formulated in a single oral dosage form or in separate oral dosage forms.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the oral dosage form is a tablet, a capsule, a pellet, a film, a solution, a suspension, or an emulsion.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient is in need of prophylactic or symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergies.
 14. A method of treating a patient in need of treatment of an allergic reaction, comprising: orally administering to a patient a first generation antihistamine in an attenuated dose to provide a quick onset of action wherein the patient experiences substantially no sedative effect; and concomitantly administering orally with the first generation antihistamine, a second generation antihistamine in a maintenance dose to provide continued antihistaminic effect.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 10 to about 96% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 25 to about 80% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 40 to about 65% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 50 to about 55% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the first generation antihistamine provides therapeutic prophylactic and symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergies for the first 1-2 hours after administration.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the first generation antihistamine is brompheniramine, buclizine, chlorpheniramine, cinnarizine, clemastine, cyclizine, cyproheptadine, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, meclozine, pheniramine, promethazine, triprolidine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof.
 21. The method of claim 14, wherein the first generation antihistamine is chlorpheneramine maleate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, doxylamine succinate, or a combination thereof.
 22. The method of claim 14, wherein the second or third generation antihistamine is acrivastine, astemizole, cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine, mizolastine, terfenadine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof.
 23. The method of claim 14, wherein the second or third generation antihistamine is cetirizine hydrochloride, fexofenadine hydrochloride, loratadine, or a combination thereof.
 24. The method of claim 14, wherein the first generation antihistamine and the second or third generation antihistamine are formulated in a single oral dosage form or in separate oral dosage forms.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the oral dosage form is a tablet, a capsule, a pellet, a film, a solution, a suspension, or an emulsion.
 26. The method of claim 14, wherein the patient is in need of prophylactic or symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergies.
 27. A method of improving the efficacy of an antihistamine, comprising: administering to a patient in need of antihistamine treatment a synergistic combination of a first generation antihistamine in an attenuated dosage amount to provide a quick onset of action wherein the patient experiences substantially no sedative effect; and a second or third generation antihistamine in a maintenance dosage amount to provide continued antihistaminic effect.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 10 to about 96% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 25 to about 80% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 40 to about 65% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the attenuated dosage amount of first generation antihistamine is about 50 to about 55% of the conventional recommended dosage amount of the first generation antihistamine.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the first generation antihistamine provides therapeutic prophylactic and symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergies for the first 1-2 hours after administration.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein the first generation antihistamine is brompheniramine, buclizine, chlorpheniramine, cinnarizine, clemastine, cyclizine, cyproheptadine, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, meclozine, pheniramine, promethazine, triprolidine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof.
 34. The method of claim 27, wherein the first generation antihistamine is chlorpheneramine maleate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, doxylamine succinate, or a combination thereof.
 35. The method of claim 27, wherein the second or third generation antihistamine is acrivastine, astemizole, cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine, mizolastine, terfenadine, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination thereof.
 36. The method of claim 27, wherein the second or third generation antihistamine is cetirizine hydrochloride, fexofenadine hydrochloride, loratadine, or a combination thereof.
 37. The method of claim 27, wherein the first generation antihistamine and the second or third generation antihistamine are formulated in a single oral dosage form or in separate oral dosage forms.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the oral dosage form is a tablet, a capsule, a pellet, a film, a solution, a suspension, or an emulsion.
 39. The method of claim 27, wherein the patient is in need of prophylactic or symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, or other respiratory allergies. 